Big Walker Mt. Thursday 11/08

[XCanytime]

Made the 5.5 hour trek to Big Walker. Arranged to meet Tommy Thompson at noon in the LZ. Along the way there was very little to no wind. Light and variable. Once I got to opposite Blacksburg, the switch was thrown, Blacksburg was reporting NW at 12 gusting 23 MPH, and the truck was getting broadsided by the gusty winds. Met up with Tommy a little after 12 and we chatted a good long while before a 3rd pilot, Steve Sexton(sp?) from Mt. Airy, NC showed up. The LZ wind indicators showed a lot of west. We went to the top and it was blowing straight in and strong. I led the charge again with a nice launch at 2:45P and shot up in some strong, turbulent lift out in front. The launch slot is so wide and clean; it was pretty easy. Headed to the east for a few miles, but didn't go beyond a prominent bend in the ridge. Figured the west cross may yield no lift and a stiff headwind around that corner (think Signal Knob in a west cross). Climbed up in rowdy lift to 5400' MSL (launch is around 3100' MSL). The viz was incredible; at least 50 to 100 miles. Steve launched 2nd and climbed up to the west. We passed each other as he headed east and I was heading west. After waving at him I encountered a pretty good unloading of the glider/wire slap. Luckily I had both hands on the basetube when the unloading/slap occurred. Tommy finally got off the mountain and climbed nicely to the east. Close to 4P I descended down and watched the multiple wind indicators in the LZ. After a few minutes of watching, I executed an approach to land to the NW uphill just below the ultralight strip. Landed uphill just below the crest where the strip is. It was a bit of a chore carrying the glider to the breakdown area in the switchy conditions on the ground. As the sun set Steve and then Tommy landed nicely uphill as well. This place rocks! The launch is super. The mountain is steep. The LZ has multiple uphill landing approaches available. The landowner helps you launch and drives vehicles back down to the LZ. There is talk of converting one of the storage units into a bunkhouse/storage shed for multiple gliders. XC potential galore. I will be back. Pics of this awesome site to follow.

Bacil

[XCanytime]

Bland VA Dept. of Corrections. The late Bill Bennett landed there once.

Looking east down the ridge towards the Rt. 100 gap.

Looking east at Little Walker Mountain.

Tommy Thompson on the ridge in his Sport2 155.

[Roger]

I can't wait to go. I have some time next week so, .... fingers crossed.

[Lostgriz]

Looks like a beautiful site. Thanks for the report Bacil.

Matt

[mikecosner]

i would be interested in going sometime as well.

mike cosner